Groundskeeper

Job Title

The purpose of this classification is to perform work functions associated with maintaining city parks, buildings, grounds, landscaping, and building maintenance.

Essential Functions

Performs manual work functions associated with groundskeeping and maintenance tasks, specifically: planting, fertilizing, watering, mowing, edging, raking, trimming, or weeding landscaped areas; removing trash/branches from grounds; cleaning/sweeping walkways and parking lots; digging holes/trenches, and maintaining sprinkler system. Performs construction, maintenance and repair to buildings, equipment, and tools, specifically: cleaning, painting, light carpentry, trash disposal, replacing light bulbs, and paper products. Performs housekeeping tasks, specifically: cleaning/maintaining restrooms, cleaning shop areas, sweeping parking lots/walkways, emptying trash containers, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, or waxing floor surfaces, dusting furniture, and cleaning windows. Operates/maintains various machinery, equipment and tools used in maintenance activities, specifically: service trucks, push mowers, weed eaters, blowers, sprayers, hoes, shovels, rakes, chainsaws, edgers, carpenter's tools, and cleaning tools/supplies. Inspects all equipment to ensure safe and proper operating condition prior to use; inventories equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures tools and equipment remain clean and in good working order. Performs preventative maintenance tasks, specifically: cleaning and servicing trucks and equipment; reports faulty equipment and broken tools for repair or replacement. Maintains inventory of cleaning and groundskeeping supplies. Performs maintenance on service trucks, specifically: cleaning, maintaining fluid level, and checking tires. Responds to requests for information from officials, employees, the public or other individuals. Transports equipment, supplies, and parts. Communicates via telephone and/or two-way radio; provides information; takes and relays messages; responds to requests for service, after hour emergencies, and callouts. Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities. Must meet regular attendance requirements. Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens. Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, in a timely manner. Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED preferred; six months of experience preferably in general landscaping, construction/maintenance work and/or manual labor work. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. This job classification is considered safety-sensitive and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screens.

Minimum Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions

The following requirements are normal for this classification. Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the position. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to operate a variety of equipment including carpenter tools, mechanics tools, service truck, shovels, weed eaters, blowers, cleaning tools, etc. Physical demand requirements for some positions within this classification may at times be at levels of those for heavy work. DATA COMPREHENSION: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things which may include work orders, maps, and procedural manuals. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with the general public. LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires ability to read a variety of groundskeeping documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to write basic job-related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice. INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand groundskeeping principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions. NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and determine time and weight. FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment which may include standard measuring devices. MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using groundskeeping and maintenance equipment and to operate a motor vehicle. MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, groundskeeping and maintenance equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating opposite hand with different activities. Must have average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. COLOR DIFFERENTIATION: May require the ability to discern color. INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be able to adapt to and perform under minimal stress when confronted with an emergency. PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.

Benefits

The City of Tuscaloosa offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time permanent employees that includes retirement, vacation and illness leave, paid holidays, medical and dental insurance, flexible spending account, life insurance, and other supplemental insurances and deferred retirement saving plans. For a more detailed overview of our benefits package, please visit the Employee Benefits Summary within our website.